Job summary
Come and join our adult acute SLT service at Harefield Hospital and grow your skills in managing the communication, swallowing and airway needs of people with complex heart and lung conditions. We have significantly expanded the SLT service over the last few years and in addition to our core clinical work, we are focused on driving service and quality improvements that demonstrate impact and improve functional outcomes. We are 'research aware', translating and aligning our practice with the best currently available evidence, and on a journey to becoming 'research active'.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be a member of the multi-professional therapy team and SLT service, working within adult services at Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals Group. They will develop advanced skills in the field of dysphagia managing a caseload of acutely ill adults with complex communication and swallowing problems related to complex cardiac and respiratory disease, cardiothoracic surgery and transplantation who may be tracheostomised or ventilator dependent (adult intensive care unit). They will be supported to provide specialist assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and intervention, as well as advice/liaison to patients and those caring for them.
This will be guided by broad local & occupational policies, procedures/protocols from the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists.
The post holder will receive clinical supervision from the Highly Specialist SLT. They will be involved in discharge planning and ensure a seamless transfer to SLT colleagues and services in the community. They will manage their own caseload and liaise closely with SLT colleagues.
About us
The post is embedded within the multi-professional therapy team at Harefield hospital made up of a dynamic group of physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dietetians, psychologists and therapy assistants. You will work collaboratively with your colleagues to deliver a responsive, patient-centred, high-quality and effective service to inpatients. Continuous professional development will be provided through regular clinical supervision, line management, 121s, appraisal, inservice training and access to study leave funding for external learning opportunities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1.1 To develop and consolidate specialist SLT skills in managing a caseload of acutely ill adults with complex communication and swallowing problems related to complex cardiac and respiratory disease / cardiothoracic surgery. These patients may present with acute or chronic communication and/or swallowing disorders and may be tracheostomised and or ventilator dependent. This may be in a variety of clinical areas including intensive care, high dependency unit, wards, out-patients and clinics.
1.2 To undertake all aspects of clinical duties and be supported to be an autonomous practitioner. To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of clinical work.
1.3 To demonstrate specialist knowledge in acute dysphagia and to ensure a high standard of clinical care for the patients under own management.
1.4 To develop RCSLT Level 2 Videofluoroscopy competencies.
1.5 To develop RCSLT tracheostomy competencies.
For further details please see JD/PS
Job description
Job responsibilities
1.1 To develop and consolidate specialist SLT skills in managing a caseload of acutely ill adults with complex communication and swallowing problems related to complex cardiac and respiratory disease / cardiothoracic surgery. These patients may present with acute or chronic communication and/or swallowing disorders and may be tracheostomised and or ventilator dependent. This may be in a variety of clinical areas including intensive care, high dependency unit, wards, out-patients and clinics.
1.2 To undertake all aspects of clinical duties and be supported to be an autonomous practitioner. To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of clinical work.
1.3 To demonstrate specialist knowledge in acute dysphagia and to ensure a high standard of clinical care for the patients under own management.
1.4 To develop RCSLT Level 2 Videofluoroscopy competencies.
1.5 To develop RCSLT tracheostomy competencies.
For further details please see JD/PS
Person Specification
EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- Recognised degree accredited by Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
- HCPC registration
- Post-graduate dysphagia training
EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Well established knowledge of a range of assessment tools relevant to specific client group with speech, language, communication and swallowing difficulties
- Ability to formulate independent clinical decisions, reflecting on practice, and ensuring demonstration of evidence based practice
- Post-qualification experience in dysphagia
Desirable
- Knowledge of the role of SLT in critical care
- Experience of effective multidisciplinary and multi-agency working
- Experience of videofluoroscopy and tracheostomy work
SKILLS & ABILITIES
Essential
- Well-developed problem-solving skills
- Ability to work as an autonomous practitioner seeking guidance when necessary
- Ability to give clear advice, instruction and training to patients, carers and other professionals relating to communication/swallowing disorders
Desirable
- Knowledge of issues relating to equality and diversity
Person Specification
EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- Recognised degree accredited by Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
- HCPC registration
- Post-graduate dysphagia training
EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Well established knowledge of a range of assessment tools relevant to specific client group with speech, language, communication and swallowing difficulties
- Ability to formulate independent clinical decisions, reflecting on practice, and ensuring demonstration of evidence based practice
- Post-qualification experience in dysphagia
Desirable
- Knowledge of the role of SLT in critical care
- Experience of effective multidisciplinary and multi-agency working
- Experience of videofluoroscopy and tracheostomy work
SKILLS & ABILITIES
Essential
- Well-developed problem-solving skills
- Ability to work as an autonomous practitioner seeking guidance when necessary
- Ability to give clear advice, instruction and training to patients, carers and other professionals relating to communication/swallowing disorders
Desirable
- Knowledge of issues relating to equality and diversity
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
